Introducing the Front & Female Awards Hong Kong 2024 nominees

Kathryn Weaver

Co-managing partner, head of Asia Pacific Employment Practice, Seyfarth Shaw

[Outside of my role as] a leading international employment lawyer … I use my legal training and advocacy skills to help companies and organisations shape their DEI strategies and deal with DEI-related legal issues; and assist women across all sectors and walks of life on a pro bono basis with discrimination and employment law problems. 

What impact do you want to make in the next five years? 

I have three main aspirations:

1. Work with the Hong Kong government (through my position as director on the British Chamber of Commerce Board and vice-chair of the Women in Business Committee) to introduce legislation that will help improve the lives of women and the LGBTQ community in Hong Kong, such as equal pay for equal work, shared parental leave (or at least improved maternity, paternity and adoption leave), flexible working, recognition of same-sex unions and protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
2. Change the dialogue on adoption being a substitute to having biological children and make it a normal and acceptable way of growing a family—through using my platform, speaking publicly and privately on the subject, and giving time to anyone who wants to talk about adoption.
3. Help improve working conditions and legal rights for the FDW community in Hong Kong through my position as board director of HELP for Domestic Workers—not only by continuing to provide pro bono legal support to FDWs but also through working with other FDW charities and the government to consider changes in the law, such as removing the obligation to “live in” with their employers and giving them the right to become Permanent Residents of Hong Kong. 

Why is it important to you to support women and girls in Hong Kong? 

We still have a significant gender pay gap in Hong Kong, there are fewer women in the workplace than men and definitely fewer in senior leadership and on boards, female representation in STEM jobs is woefully low (as is the number of women studying STEM subjects), caring responsibilities for children and ageing parents still falls on women’s shoulders more than men’s—the list goes on. 

I want my kids—a boy and a girl—to grow up knowing and respecting women’s worth and I want to do my part, no matter how small, in trying to make the world a little bit more equal and better for women.

Kirti Lad

Executive director, Meraki and co-founder, Women’s Directorship Programme

I help to develop, connect, sponsor and appoint women onto boards and senior leadership.

What impact do you want to make in the next five years? 

I want to continue to level the playing field for women in the workplace. I believe that when women’s lived experiences are truly considered in strategic conversations, it leads to more inclusive, well-rounded decisions that benefit businesses and society. I hope to help redefine leadership and inspire more organisations to prioritise gender balance at all levels.

What advice would you share with other women? 

Send the elevator back down—always give a helping hand to those behind you to help pull them up when they need it the most. It costs nothing to help people, but can leave a transformational impact on those you help. 

Bonnie Y Chan

CEO, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX)

I lead a talented and diverse team of people to provide and build healthy, attractive and sustainable capital markets that connect Asia and the world through Hong Kong. 

Who inspires you and why?

My father, who has a physical disability, has been an inspiration to me. He always told me that there’s a solution to every problem, you just have to go out and find it, and he exemplified that in his own life as he overcame his disability. That influenced me to be a very optimistic person.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome?

Building and maintaining a disciplined fitness routine—specifically a weightlifting routine. It was a challenge because I am relatively new to it having only started in the last few years. Furthermore, it is not easy to consistently fit into a demanding schedule. And the challenge is ongoing. Scheduling demands and injuries pose constant threats to progression. But I have come to see it as critical to my professional functioning. It’s not just the health and energy benefits. The discipline helps reinforce routines which are essential to my work life. And dealing with training setbacks, such as injuries, helps to build perseverance. I think business leaders can learn a lot from athletes. 

What does success mean to you?

Fostering the next generation of talent and watching them step up. We are only ever custodians of the businesses we lead. Success is taking good care of it and passing it on to a capable younger generation, knowing they will take it even further. 

That and being able to deadlift the equivalent of my own weight. 

For an entrepreneur or founder breaking ground and positively impacting women

Katherine Lo

Founder, Eaton Workshop

I am founder and chair of Eaton Workshop, and I also make films.

What advice would you share with other women?

Live your life according to ikigai, which is a Japanese term that means doing what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs and what you can make a living with.

What does success mean to you?

Success means my presence on earth positively contributed to love and peace—for my family, friends, and neighbours.

Natalie Chow

Co-founder and CEO, Kibo, and co-founder, Happy Baton

At Kibo, we craft planet-friendly, innovative footwear made from upcycled materials, combining sustainability, comfort, and safety for a greener future.

What’s the best piece of advice you have received? 

Focus on doing things that truly bring out the best in you. When you align your work with your strengths and passions, you know you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. Life is too short to simply meet others' expectations—it's about pursuing what truly matters to you.

What does success mean to you?

To me, success is a journey. It’s continuously striving to become the best version of yourself. It's about personal growth, learning from experiences and evolving in a way that aligns with your values and aspirations. Success is not just about achievements but about the progress made in improving who you are.

Sarah Tong

Co-founder and CEO, Big Bang Academy

I am building the best science and technology academy to help children become passionate and self-motivated learners through finding their own spark.

Who is your hero and why?

My mum is my first hero and still is. Her mantra of “there’s nothing that you cannot achieve with enough hard work and determination” makes me able to dream big and never be held back by anything.

After becoming an entrepreneur, I was lucky enough to find a tribe of strong and invincible female entrepreneur friends. All of them are always so inspirational, striving to be the best version of themselves for their business and for their family. I always enjoy every encounter and conversation with them and feel empowered and uplifted. I think female entrepreneurs deserve more attention and funding. 

What’s the best piece of advice you have received and what advice would you share with the next generation of women and girls?

Best piece of advice: a “no” is never a forever “no”; just [keep working and make] your way to the “yes”. And to the next generation of women and girls: never be conditioned to care about what others think. Be yourself and don’t be afraid to stand out.

For an individual driving progress for women and girls or advancing the female agenda in a particularly innovative way or with a focus on innovation

Nancy Ip

President, HKUST

Professor Nancy Ip is a world-renowned neuroscientist and pioneer in molecular neuroscience, and as president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is the only female president among Hong Kong’s publicly funded universities. Her groundbreaking research has revolutionised understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, which predominantly affects women. This year, she led a breakthrough international collaboration, developing a highly accurate blood test for early Alzheimer’s detection. Beyond her scientific achievements, Nancy is an advocate for women in STEM.

Pui-Wah Choi

Founder, WomenX Biotech

I established WomenX Biotech and developed an innovative sanitary pad that detects the risk of cervical cancer, aiming to revolutionise women's health by increasing global screening rates from 30 per cent to 80 per cent through a non-invasive and accessible solution.

What impact do you want to make in the next five years?

To bring PadX (the sanitary pad for detecting the risk of cervical cancer) to every corner of the globe where cervical cancer screening rate is lower than 80 per cent, especially in developing countries. My vision extends beyond cervical cancer; I aspire to expand our technology to detect other common female health issues like ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and even fertility challenges. Ultimately, we want to eradicate cervical cancer and ensure that no woman has to suffer from preventable diseases.

What is your greatest strength? 

My unwavering faith in empowering women. I believe that by leveraging technology to dismantle the barriers that hinder women from leading healthy, happy lives, we can create a ripple effect of happiness that benefits everyone. When our intentions are rooted in kindness, it’s amazing how the universe rewards us—talk about a cosmic win-win!

Maaike Steinebach

Founder and CEO, FemTech Future

The vision of my company is to close the gender health gap and to democratise the health and wellbeing of all women and girls through the use of technology.

Who is your hero and why?

One of my heroes is Melinda Gates who obviously has fallen into the comfortable position of having a lot of money, but her vision to get affordable access to healthcare for all women and girls globally and her initiative to close the gender research gap with her recent women’s health initiative is something that I admire greatly. 

Why is it important to you to support women and girls in Hong Kong? 

Unfortunately we still live in a culture where women do not feel comfortable talking openly about their health issues, and so suffer way more than they should. I feel it’s important to use my corporate voice and my corporate credibility to advocate for the women that can’t, whether those are the domestic helpers or female CEOs. Normalising the conversations around women’s health is a first, and once we have started with normalising these conversations, we can also move to the next level, which is taking action. Healthy women make economies thrive, so there is also a massive economic indicator that should make sure that women thrive. 

For an individual whose work addresses the health and well-being of women and girls, whether physical, mental, social, sexual or financial

Mary Foxworth

Founder, Foxworth Institute

I’m a board-certified inclusive sexologist who empowers diverse adults with inclusive intimacy and relationship education.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome?

Convincing people that what I talk about and the education that I'm providing is important, and that intimacy and relationship education, especially for historically neglected experiences, matters—it matters to our culture, it matters to individuals, and it's worth talking about.

What impact do you want to make in the next five years? 

To have provided inclusive, sexual wellness education, and to see it translated and made as accessible as possible through digital options for people, so that I can actually have a greater impact. And beyond that, with the talks that I’m doing now and the public speaking and the advocacy, I’d love to see an impact whereby conversations around sexual wellness are normalised and they are part of our overall understanding of physical health, mental health and emotional well-being. 

Zoe Chan

Founder, Happeriod and co-founder, Free Periods Hong Kong

Through Happeriod and Free Periods HK, I break down barriers to menstrual health, ensuring equity and access for all who menstruate.

What’s the best piece of advice you have received? 

Never underestimate the power of your existence. Even a small stone creates ripples. That's the advice that shaped me, driving me to create Happeriod, which now supports thousands of women across Hong Kong. Embrace your uniqueness and use your voice to make a difference.

Why is it important to you to support women and girls in Hong Kong? 

Growing up in Hong Kong, I’ve seen firsthand how even in a seemingly progressive society, people who menstruate face unique challenges. High living costs make period products unaffordable for some, and traditional attitudes create stigma around menstruation. These issues, along with broader inequalities, affect their well-being and opportunities. This personal experience drives my commitment to creating a fairer Hong Kong for all who menstruate.

Lisa Tarquini

Founder, The Menopause Space

I’m a UK Registered Nutritionist specialising in perimenopause and menopause, a licensed menopause champion, and founder of The Menopause Space, through which I aim to raise awareness and to educate and empower anyone and everyone impacted by menopause.

What advice would you share with other women? 

Knowledge is power. It allows you to advocate for yourself at home, work and for health.

What is your greatest strength? 

Resilience. There is no plan B. Whether that is fighting cancer, having a family or making the most impact in the menopause space.

Dawn Chan

Founder, Sow Fertility

I advocate for better reproductive health options and founded Sow Fertility, a community and platform offering resources and services to improve experiences and outcomes of fertility and maternity journeys.

Who inspires you and why?

Miriam Menkin was the first person to successfully fertilise an egg in a lab, outside the human body. In 1944 and as a female scientist, her success was historically overshadowed by Dr Patrick Steptoe and Sir Robert Edwards, whose efforts delivered the birth of Louise, the first IVF baby. Miriam, as a lab technician, was able to achieve innovation where no one had before and with her technique, a new age of reproductive technology became possible. Even the most seemingly impossible task can be accomplished with consistent effort and perseverance. I believe no matter how small the change and innovation seems, we should not underestimate the movement we are creating.

What impact do you want to make in the next five years?

I hope to see fertility solutions and family building resources more accessible for people across Asia; conversations about infertility and miscarriages become less of a taboo; and fertility and maternity corporate benefits become more of a norm among local companies.

For an individual supporting underserved, overlooked, vulnerable, underprivileged or minority women and girls, and/or seeking to drive human rights and equality

Elizabeth L Thomson

Founder, Amber Foundation

I help disadvantaged young ethnic minority women in Hong Kong improve their chances of finding and keeping a good job by showing them agency and teaching them soft skills so that they are attractive to future employers, and introducing them to female role models through Empower by The Amber Foundation . 

What advice would you share with the next generation of women and girls? 

I would tell them to have courage, to take risks and take action, and to have a vision of what they want and what their goals are; to take guidance and support from and treasure the wealth of women in the corporate and professional worlds; to take advantage of the wisdom of women who are more senior; and to never underestimate what those of us from previous generations achieved when there were very few women in professional schools or workplaces. 

Why is it important to you to support women and girls in Hong Kong? 

As a young lawyer, I did not have any female mentors or peers and hence encountered a great deal of gender discrimination and misogyny from male bosses with nowhere to turn for advice or support. I see myself and my journey in these young ethnic minority women and I want to teach them how to overcome the hurdles of discrimination and create for them an infrastructure of working women who grew up in Hong Kong and look like them and understand their cultural issues. 

I am determined that the word Inclusive in DEI phraseology actually means that ethnic minority women are included and sought after in the workforce and that they are enabled to confront the inevitable challenges that will face them. 

I hope for a more inclusive and equitable work place where gender and race inequality is reduced amongst this group of marginalised young women and where the sky is the limit for these Hong Kong people. 

Angela Wong

Co-founder, Strive Foundation

By day, I’m the director of corporate communications and administration at Jebsen Group, but by passion, I co-founded Strive Foundation with my husband Will Lo, using basketball as a catalyst to help talented young female athletes change their lives.

What impact do you want to make in the next five years? 

I want to inspire others to become mentors. Strive has already sent five incredibly talented female basketball players to the US on scholarships—including Hong Kong’s first Division 1 female ball player ever to get a full scholarship. Our city is full of world-class professionals in every sector; if each of us guided just one person who needed it, imagine the ripple effect. 

Basketball is just the starting point for our girls. The real work lay in preparing them emotionally, academically and mentally for a world far outside their comfort zone. Some of our girls are on welfare, in single parent households, or had to deal with trauma sometime in their young life. We gave them more than skills—we gave them hope and purpose.

What’s the best piece of advice you have received? 

Put in the effort to build your professional reputation. Let people know what you stand for. We as girls were taught to keep our heads down and grind quietly, but you can’t expect the perfect opportunity or job to find you if people don’t know who you are. Get out there and let them see what you’re capable of.

Lynette Nam

Executive director, Justice Centre Hong Kong

I lead a team of legal, welfare and mental health professionals to support people displaced by war, violence and persecution, including women and girls fleeing gender-based violence. We work with people to resolve their legal and social precarity as they seek asylum in Hong Kong, while promoting a caring society that celebrates resilience and diversity. 

What impact do you want to make in the next five years? 

Law can be a great leveller—it can offer protection and remedy injustice. But it can also disempower and perpetuate inequalities. In the next five years, I want to make sure that legal protection is accessible to those who need it, including refugees and other people in situations of vulnerability or precarity; and to disrupt the traditional service delivery model, so that people are seen as not just beneficiaries or service users, but equal partners who know the law and can use it for themselves. 

What advice would you share with other women? 

As [American author] Annie Dillard put it: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing.” These days, these hours, everything we have is temporary. Examine what gives you joy and purpose and pursue it. 

For an individual aged 30 or under whose work inspires or champions women and girls to drive their advancement

Hazel Zou

Program coordinator, Inspiring Girls

In the past few years, I connected more than 2,000 girls with inspiring women to help them gain clarity and inspiration for their own life path. Now, I am an educator devoted to bringing the best learning experience to my students.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome?

One of the challenges I encountered over the past three years was to stay in touch with the challenges teenagers, especially girls, face and try to gain an understanding from their perspective. In recent years, they have faced so many unique challenges; it is important to remind ourselves how resilient they have been, and ground our expectations and interactions with them on the basis of this understanding.

Why is it important to you to support women and girls in Hong Kong? 

It is important because women hold crucial roles in society within and outside of family units. A woman impacts people around her deeply, even though these impacts may be unbeknownst to herself. Of course, every person influences people around them to varying degrees, but being in touch with families as an educator made me realise the long-lasting positive impacts that can be generated by inspiring a young woman.

Sophiya Chiang

Founder and CTO, Deploy

As CTO and founder of Deploy, I am building a global expert network connecting venture investors with critical industry insights to empower smarter, data-driven decisions that unlock untapped potential across the private market landscape.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome?

Growing up in a traditional family, I faced the challenge of breaking free from societal expectations that often sideline women’s careers. As the first woman in my family to pursue a professional path, I had to overcome ingrained cultural beliefs about a woman’s role.

Pursuing my dreams led me to MIT and Imperial College London, where I learned to embrace vulnerability and share my experiences to inspire girls considering STEM. Empowering underrepresented voices in tech is my driving force, and every girl who pursues STEM because of our work is a testament to the power of changing perceptions and paving new paths.

Why is it important to you to support women and girls in Hong Kong?

Growing up in Hong Kong, I understand the challenges young people face when navigating careers and societal expectations. As someone who has had to stand up for my own beliefs, I know how difficult it can be for girls to chart their own paths amidst conflicting voices.

By sharing my story and experiences, I hope to inspire the next generation of women in Hong Kong to embrace their potential and pursue their dreams, regardless of traditional roles or expectations. Through highlighting diverse stories of success, we can empower underrepresented voices and catalyse a shift in the tech landscape.

Stephanie Ng

Founder and executive director, Body Banter

I work with communities in Hong Kong to spark courage and curiosity in conversations about body image and mental health.

What is most rewarding about your work? 

The most rewarding aspect of my work is that I get to witness all kinds of “lightbulb moments”—moments of realisation, relief and reflection. I’ve watched the eyes of my students collectively light up as they realise how normalised yet harmful diet culture messaging is in our society. I’ve watched the face of a worried mother soften into a smile when she realises that she is not alone in her struggles to help her teenage son navigate severe body dysmorphia. I’ve watched groups of countless young women, young men, parents and educators sit in reflective silence as they contemplate the hurtful messages they’ve internalised about their bodies—and begin considering ways to unlearn these ideas.

What advice would you share with other women? 

Let your mess be your message. The journey of finding your own unique thoughts, ideas and sense of identity amidst the influences of other voices and societal messages will not be a linear process. Instead of trying to colour within the margins, fully enjoy the process of splattering multicoloured paint all over your canvas!

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